Train-controlling apparatus.



J MERRYWEATHER TRAIN CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLlCATlON FILED SEPT. 18. 1916.

Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

Jzm s fl riywwnnventq Attorneys Witnesses UMTED STA Barn TRAIN-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

Original application filed December 9, 1915, Serial N 0. 65,972. Divided and this application filed September 18, 1916. Serial N 0. 120,764.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES MERRYWEATHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greencastle, in the county of Putnam and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Train Controlling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to train controlling apparatus, and this application is a division of the application filed December 9, 1915, Serial No. 65,972.

It is the object of the invention to provide a novel and improved ramp construction for a track, to operate a train carried device for controlling the movement of the train, the structure being comparatively simple and inexpensive, being readily installed, and being practical, efficient and re liable in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus depicting the trucks of two trains, one in position to pass the ramp, and the other past the ramp.

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail illustrating the means for mounting one end of the ramp.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the ramp operating levers.

The apparatus embodies a train carried device and cooperating track device, the former embodying means for opening the train or air pipe 1 of the air brake system in case of an emergency or dangerous condition, so that the brakes will be applied for stopping the train automatically.

The train carried device embodies a depending arm 19 having a ramp engaging roller 20. Said arm when swung in either direction is adapted to operate a device for stopping the train.

The track mechanism embodies a ramp 29 comprising a resilient strip of suitable length, and having its terminals mounted f r movement bet ee Pairs tel r v5O carried by the standards 31 attached to underlying cross ties of the railway track R. The terminals of the ramp are thus mounted for sliding movement with little or no friction, and the ends of the ramp 29 are provided with upturned hooks 32 engageable with the upper rollers 30 for preventing the withdrawal of the ramp from the guide rollers 30. Ordinarily, the ramp 29 is straightened, out so as to be in inoperative position, as seen in Fig. 2.

To bring theramp into operation, it is bowed or bent upwardly between its ends, and to this end, a longitudinal series of transverse rock shafts or levers 33 are journaled in bearings 34: secured upon the ties between the ends of the ramp, and are provided with upwardly projecting crank arms 35 and upwardly projecting arms 36. Antifrictional rollers 37 are mounted for rotation upon the angular ends of the arms 35 to work under the ramp 29. A longitudinal operating rod 38 is pivoted to the arms 36, whereby said rod 38 can be operated manually, mechanically or electrically, for swinging the levers to raise and lower the ramp, the arms 36 being arranged at acute angles with respect to the arms 35, in order that the arms 35 can be readily swung to horizontal and vertical positions when the rod 38 is reciprocated.

Straps 39 are disposed below the ramp and have upwardly offset terminals 10 secured to the ramp, said straps forming guides for the rollers 37, said rollers being disposed snugly between the straps 39 and ramp 29.

When the rod 38 is moved to the right, as seen in Fig. 1, the levers will be swung upwardly to raise the ramp 29, and when the rod 38 is moved to the left the levers will be swung downwardly, and this will straighten out the ramp so that it will be inoperative.

The crank arms 19 are provided at the opposite sides of the truck in order that one of said crank arms will be able to cooperate with the ramp in either position of the truck. Normally, when the ramp is down, the crank arm 19 can pass thereover without interference, and without stopping the train. However, in case of emergency or danger, the rod 38 is pulled to bow the ramp 29 upwardly, so that it will lie in the path of the respective arm 19, and when the truck passes the ramp, the arm 19 will be swung, upwardly by the ramp to stop the train. In Fig. 1,

the right hand truck is positioned to pass the ramp, showing the arm 19 independing position, and the left hand truck in Fig. 1 has passed the ramp, and this illustrates the arm 19 swung upwardly with the valve opened to stop the train.

The ramp is operable to swing the arm 19 when the train is moving in either direction, it being noted that the crank arms 35 of those levers spaced from the center of the ramp-are of shorterlength than the crank arm 85 of the lever adj aoent' the center of the ramp, whereby the ramp will be bowed so that its opposite halves are inclined gradually from the ends to the center of the ramp, for the effective and gradual upward movementof the arm 19. I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A traincontrolling apparatus'embodying an elongated flexible ramp, standards, rollers carried "by the standards, the terminals of the ramp being movable between'the rollersgand having hooks 'engageable with the rollers for preventing the withdrawal of the ramp from said rollers,an'd means for bowing the ramp upwardly between its ends.

Copies of this patent may be'olo'taind' forfive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner a2" ieitents;

2. A train controlling apparatus embodying an elongated flexible ramp, a strap below the ramp terminally-attached thereto, a lever having a roller working snugly between the ramp an'd strap, and fulcrumed below the ramp, and means for swinging said lever.

3.- A train controlling apparatus embody-- ing an elongated flexible ramp, means for '"slidably supporting the terminals thereof,

"straps below the ramp and terminally attached thereto, a series of levers fulcrumed below the ramp and'ha'v'ing upwardly proas my own, I have hereto afliXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES MER-RYWEATHE-R.

Witnessesi BROWNING, WILLIAM M. SUTHERLIN.

Washington, iii-c. 

